Northbrook residents Becky and Steve Charous talk in front of village trustees on Tuesday, Nov. 12, about problems with traffic and drainage that could come from a proposed synagogue building near their home. (Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune)

Dozens of Northbrook residents who packed a village meeting Tuesday night voiced concerns that a proposed synagogue in their neighborhood would generate traffic congestion and flooding problems.

The 3465 Techny Road development, which hasn't received a final approval from the village staff, would bring a new 6,000-square-foot home for members of Darchei Noam of Glenbrook, a modern Orthodox congregation that serves Northbrook and northwest Glenview residents.

Charous said he and his wife, Becky Charous, gathered about 220 signatures from more than 160 households in the community in opposition to the development.

The residents' concerns include increased traffic, lack of parking, possible drainage problems, and light pollution from the building, Charous said.

Some residents also felt that they should have been given more notice about the proposed development.

The synagogue, which consists of about 50 families, applied for a building permit with the village in July and is now working on revising the plans, said David Dobkin, the congregation's president.

He said the building will be used the most during Shabbat services, which last between Friday night and Saturday every week. During those times, the members have to walk to the synagogue, so traffic should not be a problem, Dobkin said.

"We don't feel we're going to be the source of danger," said Dobkin, who was at the meeting along with dozens of members of the congregation who now rent space at the Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook. "It is our desire to be good neighbors."

In response to comments from a few upset residents, Dobkin also said that he feels the congregation is not being deceptive but is simply following the required procedures of the village.

Village Board President Sandra Frum explained that because the area is already zoned to allow religious institutions, village trustees will not vote on the plans. She said it's up to the village's staff to grant the building permit for the development.

"Unless the applicant asks for some sort of zoning variation, this board does not have and will not have jurisdiction over this matter," Frum said.